RICS exhibition celebrates 150 years of surveying

RICS exhibition celebrates 150 years of surveying

We have opened an exhibition to celebrate our 150th anniversary, as well as the significant contribution the surveying profession has made to local communities and the wider built environment over the past 150 years.

Shaping the World, Building the Future

The exhibition – known as ‘Shaping the World, Building the Future’ – was officially opened by RICS President, John Hughes FRICS and Sean Tompkins, RICS CEO (on 11 January) at RICS headquarters on Parliament Square, London.

The exhibition will run throughout 2018, and highlights include a replica Penfold Post box designed by founding professional of RICS and the organisation’s first Honourable Secretary, John Wornham Penfold. The Penfold Post Box was the inspiration for the cartoon series, Danger Mouse and his sidekick Penfold.

Meanwhile, a multi-volume Dutch world atlas - the Blaeu, Atlas Major - dated 1662 is on show comprising 594 maps, which collectively presented the state of geographic knowledge of the world in the mid-17th century.

Other highlights

A model of the Great Theodolite used by surveyor, Colonel Sir George Everest around 1830 to measure the height of the highest mountain in the world, which now bears his name (Everest) is also being exhibited, along with a measurement book used by RICS professional, Colonel Alan R Mais for his work on the hydrographic survey of the Mulberry Harbours in Normandy. The Colonel took the measurement book on shore by him at the D-day landings in 1944.

A lego model of the RICS headquarters - which took over 150 hours to build and 13,000 miniature bricks to construct – as well as an intricate model of the Olympic Village, are on display, joined by a 3D model of the City of London. Both showcase the integral contribution surveyors have made, and continue to make, to the built environment.

Key facts about the lego build

It took 150 hours to design and build

13,000 lego bricks were used

It is 80cm x 60cm (and 60cm high)

Lighting effect was achieved using tracing paper behind the windows and LED fairy light strings inside

Watch: Building the exhibition

Watch what it takes to transform a historic library into an exhibition space which celebrates the 150 years of RICS and the ground-breaking work of surveyors around the world.

"Our 150th year is the ideal time to celebrate and champion the significant value the surveying profession has on our society and the wider economy. This exhibition will do just that, as it tells a fascinating and inspiring story that really highlights the profession’s achievements, thanks to some truly one-off and remarkable exhibits that reveal the vision, innovation and outstanding talent of chartered surveyors across many sectors." - Sean Tompkins, RICS CEO